Distressed Job Sikhala appeals for public assistance in raising R100,000 legal fees

FORMER opposition legislator Job Sikhala, has issued an appeal for legal assistance in a bid to secure his freedom after being arrested in South Africa last year.

Sikhala was arrested in November after the South African Police Service found explosives in a vehicle in which he was travelling.

The leader of the opposition movement, the National Democratic Working Group (NDWG), was released on R10,000 bail and has remained in South Africa awaiting trial.

Sikhala is due to appear in court on 3 February.

In a letter issued on his behalf by David Coltart, Sikhala said he needs R100,000 to cover his legal fees.

“I write this letter appealing to men and women of conscience to assist me mitigate the legal fees on the case of set regime of Zimbabwe in South Africa, the matter that was extensively covered by the worldwide media.

“The case will continue in a few weeks time and my lawyers are preparing for this next stage in the proceedings.

“Our lawyers who need a deposit of R100,000, 00. My fellow legal colleague and friend David Coltart is aware of how payment can be made and can provide banking details,” read the letter.

His arrest in South Africa comes after Sikhala was released in 2024, having spent more than a year in pre-trial detention at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Zimbabwe.

The vocal politician has denied the charges he faces, accusing the Zimbabwean authorities of orchestrating his arrests.

“The charges against me are baseless and this in fact shown in the bail conditions granted to me. If the SA authorities had any real concerns that I had engaged in such conduct I would never have been released on such liberal bail conditions,” said Sikhala.